Cleveland Cavs

[Epitome]

Do you guys think it's realistic to see them make a run deep into the playoffs next year. With veteran leadership of Baron Davis and Antwan Jamison, and the 1st, 4th, 32nd and 54th pick in this draft it almost assures them that they will have at least 2 studs from this draft. If it were up to me I would draft Derrick Williams 1st then Kemba/Knight 4th. Would that be enough? What do you think?

 

[rtrn2glory]

i'd say they're a good two to three years away from being competitive again. Last night helps, but i wouldn't get ahead of myself...they we're really bad last year.

I'd take irving 1st and hope the guy from Turkey or Williams drops to me at four...it's going to depend on how they evaluate the top 3 point guards though (Irving, Knight, and Kemba) if they think those 3 are close I can see them taking one of the big guys first and then one of those three at 4.

eitherway things went their way last night. i'd say they deserve it too.

 

[Ironman8]

Do you guys think it's realistic to see them make a run deep into the playoffs next year. With veteran leadership of Baron Davis and Antwan Jamison, and the 1st, 4th, 32nd and 54th pick in this draft it almost assures them that they will have at least 2 studs from this draft. If it were up to me I would draft Derrick Williams 1st then Kemba/Knight 4th. Would that be enough? What do you think?

I don't think there is any way they don't take Irving at 1. Then at four, I'd take Kanter if he fell to them, or one of the stud foreign big men, perhaps the 18 year old Ibaka type from Spain - would give them a much needed defensive presence in the middle. Those two combined with Baron, Jamison, Hickson, Gibson and Varejao would go a long way towards getting them to the 8th seed. I don't think that would be out of the question with that roster.

 

[A Pac]

I don't see them making the playoffs but I do see a big improvement over last season. If they have 2 or 3 good drafts in a row then they could be a team to be reckoned with in 4 years. They could be following the same path as the Bulls.

 

[Mr. McGibblets]

I'd take Williams 1st overall and then go for Brandon Knight 4th. If Knight is taken 2nd or 3rd, then go with Kemba.

 

[rtrn2glory]

I'd take Williams 1st overall and then go for Brandon Knight 4th. If Knight is taken 2nd or 3rd, then go with Kemba.

i'm thinking along the same lines as you...i'm a little torn b/t williams and irving, which is why i think the way the evaluate the top 3 point guards is going to be crucial, if irving is clearly better than the other two than he will be the #1 pick. if not i see them taking williams and then whichever point guard falls to them at 4.

 

[Ironman8]

i'm thinking along the same lines as you...i'm a little torn b/t williams and irving, which is why i think the way the evaluate the top 3 point guards is going to be crucial, if irving is clearly better than the other two than he will be the #1 pick. if not i see them taking williams and then whichever point guard falls to them at 4.

I just think it's becoming more and more clear it is now a PG driven league (just look at the final 4 teams - 3 of the best PGs in the NBA in Rose, Westbrook, Kidd with James playing a hybrid Point forward role most of the time for the Heat). Add in how Chris Paul almost single handedly beat the Lakers, then how Barea and Kidd torched them via lighting up Fisher, how Rondo was the key to the Celtics and when he got hurt it ended their season, the Nets mortgaging their future for simply the chance to have Deron Williams (even if he does bolt after this year), Conley Jr. helping to lead the Griz to a suprising run in the playoffs, Jru Holliday helping to lead a suprising Sixers team to the playoffs, Lawson and Felton rejuvinating the Nuggets post-Melo, and Steve Nash singlehandedly keeping the Suns relevant.

I just think if you have the chance to get a franchise PG you can't pass it up, even if you think Williams might be a little better prospect right now. Ask the Hawks how they feel about taking Marvin Williams over CP3. Ask the Knicks how they feel about passing up on Lawson, Holliday, Jennings, Collison, or even Eric Maynor to pick Jordan Hill. Just my opinion, but if I'm the Cavs it's not even a debate who you take 1st. The 4th pick is a different story, but Irving is a great place to start.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

The Cavs are such a sad tale. They win the lottery in what has to be the worst draft class in the modern era. I think the 2000 class was even better than this one.



*I agree that Williams at #1, and Knight at #4 would be a great haul in a weak class. Irving has great potential, but is more of an unknown than Walker and Knight since he was shelved pretty much all last year.

 

[rtrn2glory]

i agree...Irving imo is by far the best prospect, but i'm not making the pick. if for some reason they see enough similarities b/t the three top pg's i can see them taking williams, but i think they take irving and then one of the european big guys at #4 cuz williams will not be there.

 

[beryirish]

First this at least heals sooome wounds with Lebron leaving.

Second: You have to take Irving #1. Look at all these players/teams: Westbrook-Thunder(WCF-all-star); Rose-Bulls (ECF-MVP); Chris Paul - John Wall (up in coming); Rajon Rondo; Steve Nash and Jason Kidd (both older)....but all these players are significant factors in there teams (Wall still working).

Baron Davis will not be long-term for Cleveland. You need to start with him. Picking Williams 1st will be a mistake although a great pick but not at one. You already have Hickson and Vare with no backcourt threat. If Williams drops to 4 then I will take him then. There is a lot of talk about Enes from Turkey so I will buy all the hype since they have seen him play. If he is at 4 then I will take him over Williams.

Either way this is a great thing for Cleveland to have 2 Top 5 picks in a nice draft. I do not see them in the playoffs next year either. They have to mesh together. Like glory said I can see 2-3 years we can start to see some action.

 

[rtrn2glory]

imo this is big b/c this is a top heavy draft with maybe 10 good prospects in the whole bunch...i don't think williams will be available at 4, but if he is that is a gift and they should take him...was very impressed with his game during the tournament, kid was a freak against duke.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

First this at least heals sooome wounds with Lebron leaving.

Second: You have to take Irving #1. Look at all these players/teams: Westbrook-Thunder(WCF-all-star); Rose-Bulls (ECF-MVP); Chris Paul - John Wall (up in coming); Rajon Rondo; Steve Nash and Jason Kidd (both older)....but all these players are significant factors in there teams (Wall still working).

Baron Davis will not be long-term for Cleveland. You need to start with him. Picking Williams 1st will be a mistake although a great pick but not at one. You already have Hickson and Vare with no backcourt threat. If Williams drops to 4 then I will take him then. There is a lot of talk about Enes from Turkey so I will buy all the hype since they have seen him play. If he is at 4 then I will take him over Williams.

Either way this is a great thing for Cleveland to have 2 Top 5 picks in a nice draft. I do not see them in the playoffs next year either. They have to mesh together. Like glory said I can see 2-3 years we can start to see some action.

You make some great points. Williams over Irving could have the same effect Beasley over Rose would have had on the Bulls. I'm just not quite sure yet how much better Irving is than Knight or Walker. I always envisioned Irving as a Mike Conley type player, efficient and productive, but not an alpha-dog like Rose or Paul.

 

[rtrn2glory]

You make some great points. Williams over Irving could have the same effect Beasley over Rose would have had on the Bulls. I'm just not quite sure yet how much better Irving is than Knight or Walker. I always envisioned Irving as a Mike Conley type player, efficient and productive, but not an alpha-dog like Rose or Paul.

wasn't beasley and durant the big debate when they were being drafted...if i remember right rose to chicago was a no brainer.

 

[Ironman8]

wasn't beasley and durant the big debate when they were being drafted...if i remember right rose to chicago was a no brainer.

Beasley and Durant were in different drafts. The Durant debate was over him vs. Greg Oden.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Beasley and Durant were in different drafts. The Durant debate was over him vs. Greg Oden.

yesssss thank you!! idk what i was thinking about.

 

[Mr. McGibblets]

I just think it's becoming more and more clear it is now a PG driven league (just look at the final 4 teams - 3 of the best PGs in the NBA in Rose, Westbrook, Kidd with James playing a hybrid Point forward role most of the time for the Heat). Add in how Chris Paul almost single handedly beat the Lakers, then how Barea and Kidd torched them via lighting up Fisher, how Rondo was the key to the Celtics and when he got hurt it ended their season, the Nets mortgaging their future for simply the chance to have Deron Williams (even if he does bolt after this year), Conley Jr. helping to lead the Griz to a suprising run in the playoffs, Jru Holliday helping to lead a suprising Sixers team to the playoffs, Lawson and Felton rejuvinating the Nuggets post-Melo, and Steve Nash singlehandedly keeping the Suns relevant.

I just think if you have the chance to get a franchise PG you can't pass it up, even if you think Williams might be a little better prospect right now. Ask the Hawks how they feel about taking Marvin Williams over CP3. Ask the Knicks how they feel about passing up on Lawson, Holliday, Jennings, Collison, or even Eric Maynor to pick Jordan Hill. Just my opinion, but if I'm the Cavs it's not even a debate who you take 1st. The 4th pick is a different story, but Irving is a great place to start.

I agree with getting a point guard, but who's to say a PG taken at any spot in the top ten cant become any of the guys you mentioned? Derron Williams went 3rd, Paul went 4th, Jennings went 9th. Then in the top 20-- Holiday went 17th, Lawson went 18th, Maynor went 20th. I dont think you can risk passing on an explosive power forward. Irving may turn out to be much better, but I still think you accomplish the Point Guard goal with Knight or Walker while getting the top player (my opinion) in the draft.

 

[rikkitikki08]

Im happy for the cavs, if any franchise needed the number one pick the cavs were that team. Its sad that this draft is really soft though. I could see them trading away the 4th pick for a more established player

 

[Ironman8]

I agree with getting a point guard, but who's to say a PG taken at any spot in the top ten cant become any of the guys you mentioned? Derron Williams went 3rd, Paul went 4th, Jennings went 9th. Then in the top 20-- Holiday went 17th, Lawson went 18th, Maynor went 20th. I dont think you can risk passing on an explosive power forward. Irving may turn out to be much better, but I still think you accomplish the Point Guard goal with Knight or Walker while getting the top player (my opinion) in the draft.

The thing is they already have an explosive PF in Hickson. I would rather get the best PG prospect to pair with him than adding another PF and taking a more hit or miss type PG prospect. Knight is the only other PG in this draft I would take in the top 8, and to me Irving is just a better prospect. Kemba reminds me too much of Ben Gordon for my liking. I could be wrong about him, but shoot first PGs are not my favorite, and aren't worth taking over more well-rounded (pass-first) points.

 

[rtrn2glory]

The thing is they already have an explosive PF in Hickson. I would rather get the best PG prospect to pair with him than adding another PF and taking a more hit or miss type PG prospect. Knight is the only other PG in this draft I would take in the top 8, and to me Irving is just a better prospect. Kemba reminds me too much of Ben Gordon for my liking. I could be wrong about him, but shoot first PGs are not my favorite, and aren't worth taking over more well-rounded (pass-first) points.

personally, i wouldn't call Hickson explosive...nice player, but not explosive. If frickin Danny Ferry would have included him in the Amare deal last year Lebron still might be in Cleveland.

 

[Mr. McGibblets]

The thing is they already have an explosive PF in Hickson. I would rather get the best PG prospect to pair with him than adding another PF and taking a more hit or miss type PG prospect. Knight is the only other PG in this draft I would take in the top 8, and to me Irving is just a better prospect. Kemba reminds me too much of Ben Gordon for my liking. I could be wrong about him, but shoot first PGs are not my favorite, and aren't worth taking over more well-rounded (pass-first) points.

Roger that. I just love Derick Williams. I actually think Walker is a stretch at 4. But who knows. I know he likes playing D and doesnt mind rebounding. If they could snake Williams and Knight, that would be a diesel draft.

I think Walker ended up that way because UCONN had no roles in the beginning of the season. It was Walker, and then everyone else tried to fit in. Then once they figured everything out he sort of stepped back a bit.; but he averages the same amount of assists as the other two.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

The Bulls took a long hard look at Beasley, and at one point he was even the front runner. Chicago was going to take Rose no matter what though, because Pat Riley wanted him so bad he was willing to cough up Beasley and some extras on draft day if the Bulls decided to swap.

 

[BurningRiver]

The cavs were really bad last year. Really bad. And it's not like they had one or two good young guys but the rest were scrubs. Most people on that team wouldn't have even been a bench player on a contender, save maybe varejao and Davis. As much as I hate to say it this team is four or five players away from being a "deep playoff contender" again.

 

[beryirish]

The cavs were really bad last year. Really bad. And it's not like they had one or two good young guys but the rest were scrubs. Most people on that team wouldn't have even been a bench player on a contender, save maybe varejao and Davis. As much as I hate to say it this team is four or five players away from being a "deep playoff contender" again.

Agreed with you there how they really need a whole makeover....but they are sitting on a lot of cash....Lebron screwed them over because he waited til the last minute to make his decision and at that same time all the other top talents signed contracts already while Cleveland was waiting on Lebron. They can get two great young picks this year and look to bring in some veterans...or they can sit on the money and wait til these guys get older and more experienced before they pull the trigger to bring in the vets to take them to the next level.

 

[BurningRiver]

Agreed with you there how they really need a whole makeover....but they are sitting on a lot of cash....Lebron screwed them over because he waited til the last minute to make his decision and at that same time all the other top talents signed contracts already while Cleveland was waiting on Lebron. They can get two great young picks this year and look to bring in some veterans...or they can sit on the money and wait til these guys get older and more experienced before they pull the trigger to bring in the vets to take them to the next level.

Yeah lebron dragging out his free agency to generate attention really cost the cavs a chance to start the rebuild a year earlier. The team this year was, at the beginning at least, basically the same except lebron wasn't on it. So the fact that we werent able to blow up the team with some good trades before bron bron dumped us and instead had to keep the team together to entice him to stay is what killed the cavs this year and is the reason the rebuild has really just begun. Thankfully the deal with the clips dealt away some of that cash (even though we now have baron davis's massive contract) and dumped some of the players who really had no place on a rebuilding team. This teAm is pretty far away from contending I think.

But hey, that's what everyone said about the Indians...